Cyperaceae
Scirpoides

Scirpoides varia Browning

First published in S. African J. Bot. 77: 507 (2011)
This species is accepted
The native range of this species is S. Africa. It is a perennial or rhizomatous geophyte and grows primarily in the subtropical biome.

Descriptions

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation
Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: confident
[AERP]

J. Browning, K.D. Gordon-Gray†, M. Lock, H. Beentje, K. Vollesen, K. Bauters, C. Archer, I. Larridon, M. Xanthos, P. Vorster, J. Bruhl, K. Wilson and X. Zhang (2020). Flora Zambesiaca Volume: 14: Cyperaceae. M.Á. García, J.R. Timberlake (Eds). Kew Publish

Type
South Africa, Gauteng, Apies Poort, Rehmann 4036 (?); South Africa, Houtbosch, Rehmann 5635 (?); Lesotho (Basutoland), Leribé, n.d., Buchanan 225 (K000671266 lectotype), lectotypified by Browning & Gordon-Gray (2011).
Morphology General Habit
Perennial herb 80–100 cm tall, tufted or rhizomatous with woody rhizome
Morphology Culms
Culms 3-angled apically, 1.25–2 mm wide, smooth
Morphology Leaves
Leaves basal, occasionally sparse, stiff, mostly shorter than or less often as long as culm length, 2–4 mm wide, glabrous
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescence pseudolateral, overtopped by erect main primary bract c. 1.3 cm long continuing culm line; additional bracts 2, each reduced by half length of precursor to 3–5 small bracts invisible beyond limits of capitulum; all bracts scabrid
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowering head solitary or in close groups of (2)3–4(5), 8–12 mm in diameter, sessile or shortly branched, each bracteate; collective heads 15–45 × 10–15(17) mm
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets
Spikelets numerous per head, c. 4 mm long
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume
Glumes spiral, occasionally appearing almost distichous, 2.25–2.75 mm long (including 0.6–0.85 mm arista), green keel and arista strongly developed, flanks delicate, brown, sometimes translucent with 2 prominent lateral nerves
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth
Perianth 0
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens 3
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style
Style branches 3, ± as long as style
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Nutlet c. 0.75 × 0.4 mm, trigonous, pale brown, basal foot expanded, surface indistinctly patterned by faintly marked longitudinal striations, faintly puncticulate at maturity.
Distribution
Botswana. Endemic to southern Africa with isolated records from South Africa (North West, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga), Lesotho, Swaziland and Botswana.
Ecology
Forming small scattered colonies in muddy habitats with semi-permanent water and sometimes rock-strewn soil; c. 1300 m.
Conservation
Limited distribution with only one known collection from the Flora area; possibly Vulnerable.
[FZ]

Sources

  • Angiosperm Extinction Risk Predictions v1

    • Angiosperm Threat Predictions
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

  • Flora Zambesiaca

    • Flora Zambesiaca
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Herbarium Catalogue Specimens

    • 'The Herbarium Catalogue, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet http://www.kew.org/herbcat [accessed on Day Month Year]'. Please enter the date on which you consulted the system.
    • Digital Image © Board of Trustees, RBG Kew http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2024. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2024. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0